Hi everyone - Put TUESDAY 16 JUNE in your diary.  We had 37 workers on Thursday and hope for more this Tuesday.

Lunch is provided. Rain , hail or shine - we once had a WOPper take a step back to admire her work and splash she stepped backwards into a creek!

Another time we had really heavy rain and the LEGS ladies kept on planting & planting & planting - lots of smiles and laughter followed by wonderful hot soup & more laughs!

We were scheduled to do our usual planting day at Mataia in Term 2. We cancelled the programme because of Covid 19 but we are able to go ahead with our planting days which are pretty important as this is the best season to get trees established before next summer.

The rain has come so the hard ground will be softened making planting viable again. Now that we are able to have groups up to 100 we can go ahead with the usual meet, plant, return for lunch scenario. Unfortunately Covid 19 has meant all the school groups have cancelled so our efforts will be greatly appreciated. Because it will no longer be a formal WOPs day you can bring your friends & family to assist.

I already have an old Level 4 list of those wanting to come but need to update that please - so I can let Gill know how many to cater for no one has starved yet but we certainly don't want a first time!

You must fill out your details as shown below and please email to Linda  - linda@wops.co.nz  

You are very welcome to come either or both days - thank you.

Please bring

• Your day pack with morning tea and a drink - no formal Mng Tea but you can choose when to stop and have snacks as you wish.
• Raincoat and warm jumper & anything you may need to deal with the weather while away from the cars.
• Boots or gumboots.
• A spade - optional as there are some provided.
• Gardening gloves
• A folding chair? Depending on numbers and weather this may be a good option for use at lunchtime - not compulsory.

For those who have never been planting at Mataia before We meet at Mataia at 9.30am.  2719 Hwy 16

It is approx 17kms north of Kaukapakapa  (toilets by Fire station) on Hwy 16. I will try and have someone standing roadside to direct.

Look out for some overhanging trees on the left and a smallish slightly obscured sign at 2791. There is a fawn/neutral coloured house opposite.

There are two entrances - the first as described and second after you pass the white double story house with M shaped red roof.

Go to the back of the first driveway and find the parking spot. We will probably be doing a car shuffle to elsewhere on the farm.

We get to the planting area and after a briefing on how to plant (beginners) we work as teams. Some people don't want to dig - that is fine. There are lots of jobs to do.

The tasks are

1             Dig a hole & chatter

2             Add a fertiliser pellet & chatter some more

3              Put in the plant and firm it down well to stop pukekos pulling them out. Boss other people on the best technique!

4              Tuck grasses or other plant material round the raw soil to disguise & deter the pukekos. Ditto above.

5             Add a marker cane so that in a year's time the plant can be found and weeds etc flattened/ released. Call out who needs a cane?

6             Distribute more plants if required. Depends on whether we exceed our targets!

We have people working alone or in teams with one job each. Rotations and any combo of work you like!

LUNCH IS PROVIDED

After planting we return to the house for lunch. It is usually a selection of wonderful homemade soups (including vegetarian), bread and rolls, cheeses and assorted cakes to follow. We never go hungry!!!

They provide disposable composting cups but bring your own cup & save the planet, & the cost of the cups can buy more trees?

Gill Adshead who grew up at Mataia will often give us a rundown on the progress they have made re-establishing kiwi on the property.

Always a day to remember and be proud of. WOPs has been planting at Mataia for 10 years now so we 'own' much of the regenerating forest and of course have it as one of our walk venues. WOPs was the first walking group ever to go there so another reason to be proud. Look up Mataia Restoration Project for more info.

Looking forward to seeing you all again & catching up on all the trials of lockdown Expand your bubbles but stay safe.

Cheers Linda

PS Please contact other WOPpers and offer them a lift etc - especially our newer WOPpers.